The Facts about the Nature of Skill-related Fitness
Filed under: Physical — arlene @ 6:03 pm
There are several different components of skill- related physical fitness.
The six components of skill-related physical fitness identified in this book were chosen because they are among the most important to sports performance and easiest to measure. There are probably other abilities that contribute to the ability to perform skills of all kinds. For example, many experts consider various perceptual abilities such as depth and distance perception (ability to judge depth and distances accurately) and visual tracking (ability to visually follow a moving object) to be skill-related parts of physical fitness.
There are sub-components of each part of skill- related physical fitness.
Most of the six parts of skill-related physical fitness have sub-components. For example, coordination includes foot-eye coordination and hand-eye coordination, which are measured quite differently. The tests in this concept were chosen to measure some of the skill-related fitness aspects most important to sports performance.
Skills are specific in nature.
An individual might possess ability in one area and not in another. For this reason, “general motor ability” probably does not really exist. Individuals do not have one general capacity for performing skills. Rather, the ability to play games or sports is determined by combined abilities in each of the separate motor skill components of agility, coordination, balance, reaction time, speed, and power. It is, however, possible and even likely that some performers will have above average skill in many areas.
The potential for possessing outstanding skill- related fitness is based on hereditary predispositions, but all aspects of skill-related fitness can be improved through regular practice.
In order for a skill to be improved, it must be repeated. Some skill-related fitness components, such as power, agility, balance, and coordination, can be enhanced greatly with practice. Others, such as speed and reaction time, can be improved somewhat but are determined to a greater extent by heredity.
Exceptional athletes tend to be outstanding in more than one component of skill-related fitness.
Though people possess skill-related fitness in varying degrees, great athletes are likely to be above average in most, if not all, aspects. Indeed, exceptional athletes must be exceptional in many areas of skill-related fitness. Different sports require different skills, each of which requires varying degrees of the six components of skill-related fitness.
Excellence in one skill-related fitness component may compensate for a lack in another.
Each individual possesses a specific level of each skill- related fitness aspect. The performer should learn his or her other strengths and weaknesses in order to produce optimal performances. For example, a tennis player may use coordination to compensate for lack of speed.
Excellence in skill-related fitness may compensate for a lack of health-related fitness when playing sports and games.
As you grow older, health-related fitness potential declines much more rapidly than many components of skill-related fitness. You may use superior skill-related fitness to compensate. For example, a baseball pitcher who lacks the strength and power to dominate hitters may rely on a pitch such as a knuckleball, which is more dependent on coordination than on power.
Health-related fitness is important in playing sports and games.
Health-related fitness is not a substitute for skill- related fitness when it comes to performing successfully in sports. However, good health-related fitness is critical to exceptional performances of many kinds. For example, a gymnast with coordination, balance, and agility must have strength and flexibility to excel, and a football player with power and coordination must have cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance to perform at optimal levels.
Skill-related fitness can be improved by performing activities that require the use of specific skill-related fitness components.
Skill-related fitness components are prerequisites to the successful performance of many sports skills. At the same time, the performance of sports skills, which require the use of different skill-related fitness components, will contribute to improvement in those fitness aspects. Table 14.1 shows the activities that require each component of skill-related fitness. The table also gives you an idea about which activities tend to promote development of various skill-related fitness components. Though it is true that skill-related fitness is based on hereditary predispositions, all people can improve their skill-related fitness with participation in the appropriate activities.
Assessing your own skill-related fitness may help you choose a lifetime sport that best suits your abilities.
You can learn to assess your own skill-related fitness using some simple tests. Some of the tests are provided on pages 162-164. You may want to use the results of these tests and table 14.1 to help you choose a lifetime activity. Consider an activity that requires the parts of fitness on which you have your best scores.
